Punjab's SANGAT Mental Health Clubs Launched in 40 Colleges to Boost Youth Wellbeing and Curb Drug Abuse

Key facts

• The Punjab Government launched SANGAT Mental Health Clubs in 40 colleges across the state to strengthen mental health awareness, encourage early intervention and help prevent substance abuse under its flagship 'Yudh Nashean Virudh' initiative.
• The initiative is led by Punjab's Department of Higher Education in partnership with the Aditya Birla Education Trust (ABET).
• The programme is being implemented through Mpower, a subsidiary of ABET, under its COPE (Counselling and Outreach for Peer Empowerment) framework.
• Under the programme, 25 students from each participating college will receive 14 hours of Youth Mental Health First Aid (YMHFA) training and certification to recognise emotional distress, provide initial peer support and guide fellow students towards professional assistance.
• Education Minister Harjot Singh Bains launched the initiative at an event held at Plaksha University, Mohali, describing SANGAT as a significant step towards empowering young people to address mental health challenges and substance abuse through awareness, peer support and collective action.